Oct-Nov 2013 Cross Canada to MD

Cameron Falls, Waterton NP

Pat in Waterton Lakes NP

Black Bears

When we left Fernie in early October, the initial plan was to spend some time in Yellowstone and other national parks as we headed east. But Congress forgot that they were elected to serve the people and not their personal agendas and closed all the National Parks by shutting down the government. So after picking up our mail in the US, we drove around closed Glacier NP, headed back to Alberta, Canada and entered Waterton Lakes NP. The wind blew hard for the three days we were in the park. We drove to Red Rock Canyon and saw some black bears along the road. Our next stop was Ft MacLeod and the North West Mounted Police Museum. It was interesting to note how differently Canada settled the West compared to the US. The Indians‘ rights were respected and the bison were not exterminated. In Medicine Hat, we toured the Medalta Potteries Museum and spent a few days exploring Cypress Hills Provincial Park.

In Moose Jaw, Saskatchewan we toured the Tunnels. Here Chinese Immigrants, many of whom worked on the railroad, lived underground in order to escape persecution during the Yellow Peril. The Tunnels were also used for rum running during Prohibition. In Manitoba, we camped at Spruce Woods Provincial Park for a couple days, then we drove to Winkler and had a private tour of the Leisure Travel/Triple E RV Factory. Once we digested the information from Leisure Travel RV, we determined that their vehicles could not carry the weight required by full-timers. 

Tundra Buggy

Polar Bear

Yes it was cold

 In Winnipeg, we spent a day visiting the Manitoba Experience and the Manitoba Museum.  The museum contains a full size replica of the Nonsuch, whose voyage in 1668 led to the founding of the Hudson’s Bay Company. From Winnipeg, we took a two hour flight north to Churchill on Hudson’s Bay. We wanted to see the polar bears that gather near Churchill in October and November waiting for Hudson’s Bay to freeze over. Unfortunately, the weather didn’t cooperate, and due to the snow and windy conditions, the bears were down in the snow taking cover from the wind. The overcast conditions also prevented us from seeing the Northern Lights. We rolled the dice and lost this time. We did have a great dog sled ride before flying back to Winnipeg.

Inuksuk "something that acts for or performs the funtion of a person"

Bears use these to catch tourists

Why we came

Don't wake sleeping bears! (not a live shot)

Our lodge in Churchill

Arctic Fox

Polar bear seeking shelter

MV Ithaca

Our lead sled dogs and musher

From Winnipeg, we headed south to the Born Free factory in Humboldt, IA to get some work done.  Then we saw on their web page that they had the vehicle which was now at the top of our wish list for sale. We called the factory and told them to hold it for us. It was a nearly new 2013 27’ Born Free with 6 K miles. We had many delays getting financing for the RV, but on our 31th wedding anniversary, we signed the papers. From IA we headed home in time to celebrate my father’s 91^st birthday and Pat’s father’s 86^th birthday.

Dolliver SP in IA

Anniversary Present

My Father wirh friend, Helen

June - Sept 2013 NW and BC

Wild Horse Monument in WA

After we returned from the Isle of Jersey, we spent a week in MD/PA visiting family, friends and doctors. We flew to Seattle, picked up our RV, and stayed with Tom and Cornelia for a few days. We went to see the play “Chicago” with them before heading to Fernie, stopping at the Wild Horse Monument along the way.

Glacier NP, BC

After a few weeks in Fernie we headed up to Glacier NP (in Canada) and Revelstoke NP. We spent a few days hiking and sightseeing in the area. By the end of July we left Fernie and headed for Glacier NP (in Montana). We were not allowed to take the RV on the Going to the Sun highway, so we took the park shuttle to access hiking trails and get to Logan Pass at the top.

Glacier Lily

Marmot

Meeting of the Waters

Sutherland Fall, BC

Ferry crossing Upper Arrow Lake, BC

American Martin

Avalanche Lake, GNP, MT

Logan Pass, GNP, MT

Indian Blanket

A few days later, we arrived at Savenac Historic Nursery, part of the Lolo National Forest, in western MT. We signed up for a six week period, as a relief for a couple returning to Germany. The nursery was started in 1907 and produced 12 million seedlings annually. The Civilian Conservation Corp (CCC) built the buildings and other structures on site. Nursery operations ended in 1969.  Now you can rent out three of the buildings for lodging. It is very popular for families having reunions or weddings. It is also the closest lodging to the popular Route of the Hiawatha rail trail. Our job was to man the Visitor Center about 8 hr/week each. Pat also took care of cleaning the three rental buildings. The guests are supposed to clean them before they leave, but you can imagine how well that went. While Pat was inside cleaning, I was outside cutting and trimming grass. I was also in charge of watering the grass, because even though it had not rained in July, I was expected to keep the acres of grass green.  In exchange for this work, we got a place to park our RV with electric, water and sewer hook ups. Things went well until a big and unruly group came in for Labor Day Weekend. Of course this was the same weekend that our “boss” took off with his girl friend, so Pat and I were left alone to deal with this group. After that weekend, we couldn't wait to finish our assignment. The Lolo NF supervisor was very happy with our performance and invited us back.

Route of the Hiawatha, ID

Western Anemone

The Universe revolves around ME! (in Wallace, ID)

River at Thompson Falls, MT

Haugan, MT

When we arrived at Savenac, we found out our AT&T phone had no service. Another volunteer had a working Tracfone, so we bought a Tracfone. We found out later that this phone used the AT&T network. We tried to exchange it by mail for one on the Verizon network. About four weeks later (after many calls from phone booths) we finally received a replacement phone that worked.

It was not all work and no play. We did get out and bike the Route of the Hiawatha and part of The Trail of the Coeur d’Alenes. We also hiked to several remote mountain lakes and visited many of the historical sites and towns in the area. Our friend Russ passed away in August, so we took a week off from our assignment to return to MD.

Savenac Visitor center

Elk

From Savenac we headed back to Fernie, BC stopping at the National Bison Range, where we saw bison, elk, and big horn sheep. Tom and Julie joined us for two weeks and Susan and Mimi for a week while we were in Fernie. When we were not on the trail looking for bears, we were trying to determine which restaurant in Fernie was best. Pat and I were left to continue our investigation after our guests returned home.

Tom, Julie and Pat at Lookout over Cedar Valley

Mimi and Sue at Lost Lake

Spruce Grouse

Pat, Julie, Mimi and Sue on South Star Trails

June 2013 Isle of Jersey

After our trip to Switzerland, we crossed France and took the ferry from St. Malo to the Isle of Jersey. Jersey is the largest of the Channel Islands. Although it is only 14 miles from France, it has been under English/Norman influence since 1066. Everyone speaks English, but all towns and streets have French names.  The Germans invaded and occupied the Channels Islands for five years during WWII.

The purpose of our visit was to join the International Caravanning Association (ICA) group and hike the 50 mile trail around the island. Our group consisted of 5 UK couples and us. They were camping in their motor homes or travel trailers. Since we did not have wheels, we camped in a rented tent.

Before we arrived, we had been monitoring the weather in Jersey. It looked like we would be hiking in the rain every day. Somehow we lucked out and completed the 7 days of hiking without any rain. The best part of the hike was having a Jersey soft serve ice cream at the end of the day, by far the best soft serve we have ever had. We had a few free days to explore the island, so we visited their zoo, gardens and two museums. We ran out of time before we got to explore their castles and other interesting sites.

Out of our group of 12, all 11 hikers completed the 50 mile circuit. Old castles, German fortifications, long sandy beaches, and rugged cliffs provided interesting diversions during the hike.

We returned to Paris for our flight home, but due to a strike by the air traffic controllers, our flight left 2 hours late. We missed our connection in Iceland, so our trip home was delayed 24 hours (we were very grateful to be delayed in Iceland instead of France!). We went to the Blue Lagoon on our extra travel day.

Sand Castle

Mont Orgueil Castle

Bring your kid to work day at the zoo

Our group pushing up hill

Our trail

David at Grosnez Castle

Pat at Smares Manor Gardens

The Devil

A bit too horny

Pat with her hot chocolate

Our rental tent

The ICA gang

Don talking to Elves